2011-2012 Outstanding First-Year Student Award

(left) Outstanding First-Year Student, Jessica K. Jewell; (left) Finalist of Distinction, Matthew Baucom (right)

The ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes annually an outstanding first-year student. The winner receives a plaque and a check for $500 from the chapter. In addition, this year the chapter also chose to recognize a finalist of distinction.

The 2011-2012 finalist of distinction is Matthew Baucom, from Monroe, NC. Matthew is an EC Scholar, member of the Honors College and was selected to the Brody Early Assurance Admission to Medical School program. He plans to complete a double major in biochemistry and chemistry before studying medicine. He has a 4.0 grade point average and has been a volunteer at the Pirate Tutoring Center and the Golden Living Center. He has also been conducting research in the Department of Chemistry and is enrolled in an EMT certification course at Pitt Community College. Matthew hopes to become a surgeon in the field of Emergency Medicine.

The 2011-2012 Outstanding First-Year Student is Jessica K. Jewell, a graduate of Clayton High School in Clayton, NC.  Jessica is an EC Scholar and member of the Honors College. She is pursuing a dual degree program—the B.S. in Broadcast Journalism within the School of Communication and a B.A. in Hispanic Studies in the Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Jessica has a 4.0 grade point average and is extremely active in campus service. A type one diabetic since the age of three, Jessica credits her parents with teaching her to view her disability as an opportunity to serve others. She has been involved this year in volunteering with the Salvation Army, Golden Living Center, the American Cancer Society and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Within the Honors College, she serves as part of the Honors Ambassadors on committees that focus on recruitment, marketing, and service projects. She is also a recipient of the ECU School of Communication CommCrew Freshman Scholarship and is an NCDPI Robert C. Byrd Scholar. Eventually, Jessica plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism because she wants to help educate the public so people can make informed decisions about their lives and the world.